Chamber (Jonothon Evan Starsmore; alternatively spelled Jonothan) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually associated with the X-Men and Generation X. First appearing in Generation X #1 (November 1994), the character was created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Chris Bachalo.
A British mutant, Jono's body holds a powerful store of psionic energy, which he can project outwards as a concussive blast of flames. On the emergence of his power, much of his chest and lower face were destroyed, leaving him communicating telepathically. Initially joining the team of young mutants, Generation X, Chamber graduated to the X-Men team.
Chamber lost his powers on M-Day, which left him near death until Clan Akkaba restored his body and transformed him into a form resembling Apocalypse. Following his transformation, Chamber joined the New Warriors, utilizing technology that gave him sonic-based abilities. Chamber regained his powers and original appearance after the events of Age of X. He later joined the mutant nation of Krakoa and the New Mutants briefly.
Publication history Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Chris Bachalo, Chamber first appeared in Generation X #1 (November 1994). He appeared in the entire 75-issue series from 1994 to 2001, along with annuals and novels. After the series concluded, Chamber joined the X-Men, appearing in Uncanny X-Men #395-409 (June, 2001-July, 2002).
Chamber received a 4-issue miniseries (October, 2002-January, 2003), before appearing in Weapon X (vol. 2) #15-20 (November, 2003-March, 2004).
After the Decimation, Chamber appeared in the first issue of Generation M, before a starring role as Decibel in the New Warriors 20-issue fourth volume from 2007 to 2009.
Regaining his powers, Chamber appeared in X-Men: Legacy, Wolverine and the X-Men and the second volume of Generation X.
During the Krakoan Age of X-Men comics, Chamber appeared in many titles, notably New Mutants (vol. 4) and Legion of X. During the X-Men: From the Ashes relaunch, Chamber appeared in Weapon X-Men (vol. 2).
Fictional character biography Origin
Jonothon Evan Starsmore ("Jono" to his friends) is originally from London and is a mutant who possesses a furnace of psionic energy in his chest. This power first manifested in an explosion during a party he was attending with then girlfriend Gayle Edgerton. Its initial manifestation destroyed much of his chest and lower face and crippled Gayle. Jono is left only able to communicate via telepathy, with his powers sustaining what remains of his body.
At age 18, shortly after his mutant powers manifest, Jono accepts an invitation to join Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. He meets the future members of Generation X - M, Husk, Synch, Skin, and Jubilee - after they arrive to save him from Emplate.Generation X #1 (November 1994)
While living at the Xavier Institute, Chamber reconciles with Gayle Edgerton after they are both captured by Emplate. He later enters a relationship with Husk, but their relationship is strained as Jono believes that he cannot offer the normalcy he assumes she wants. His insecurity hinders his capability to interact with Husk platonically.Generation X #14 (April 1996)
When the Xavier Institute is outed as harboring mutant students, an anti-mutant group attacks the school. After Synch is killed preventing a bomb from killing nearby human students, the Generation X kids feel that their training is over and disband the group.Generation X #70 (December 2000) Chamber is considered to join the X-Men, but declines.Generation X #75 (June 2001)
X-Man and Weapon X After failing to join the X-Men, Chamber returns to London, where he hooks up with pop star Sugar Kane. The two separate after Kane's manager stages her abduction by anti-mutant forces following a phony tabloid story that she was pregnant with Chamber's child. The X-Men meet with Chamber in London and persuade him to join the team, after claiming that the X-Men offered a place that he could finally fit in. He remains on the team for some time, but often shows frustration with being treated as a junior member by his teammates and eventually asks to be relieved from active duty.Chamber #1–4 (October 2002 - January 2003)
After returning to the X-Men, Chamber learns that Husk is in a relationship with Archangel.Uncanny X-Men #422 (June 2003) He also witnesses the death of his friend Skin, who is crucified by the Church of Humanity. Archangel saves several of the Church's victims with his healing blood, but is unable to save Skin.Uncanny X-Men #423 (July 2003) These events drive Chamber over the edge; he attacks Archangel and is arrested. While Chamber is in prison, Brent Jackson recruits him into the Weapon X program.Weapon X (vol. 2) #15 (December 2003)
Decimation
Chamber is among the countless mutants who lose their powers during M-Day. Beast saves his life, but he is left unable to survive without his powers to sustain him. The X-Men leave him to be cared for at a hospital on life support.Generation M #1 (January 2006)
Jono is later abducted by Frederick Slade, a member of Clan Akkaba, who are descendants of Apocalypse and distant relatives of Jono. Jono has his body restored by a transfusion of Apocalypse's blood, giving him a grey-skinned appearance resembling Apocalypse. As a descendant of Apocalypse, Jono is considered a member of the Clan but refuses to formally join them.New Excalibur #9 (September 2006)
New Warriors
Jono resurfaces as Decibel, a member of Night Thrasher's New Warriors.The New Warriors (vol. 4) #3 (October 2007) As Decibel, Jono utilizes a high-tech suit that gives him the ability to create solidified sound constructs. He reveals that he chose these powers because he does not want to be a weapon of destruction anymore and can now create.The New Warriors (vol. 4) #7 (February 2008) He serves with the New Warriors until they disband.The New Warriors (vol. 4) #20 (March 2009)
Age of X Jono eventually makes his way to the X-Men's new Island nation of Utopia. Shortly after his arrival, Legion rewrites history, making himself a hero. In this re-written world, Jono regains his powers, but loses the body restorations given to him by Clan Akkaba. When reality is restored, Jono retains the changes Legion made to him.X-Men: Legacy #248 (July 2011) After the conflict of leadership between Wolverine and Cyclops, Chamber joins Wolverine at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning, where he teaches a course on "Coping With Physical Changes".
Wolverine and the X-Men Chamber is entrusted with the safety and security of the Jean Grey School's students when a violent threat is roaming the halls.Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega #4 (June 2012) He is shown defending his students from an attack by Weapon Omega while giving a lecture in class.X-Men: Legacy #264 (March 2012) Chamber is killed while battling one of Legion's multiple personalities,X-Men: Legacy (vol. 2) #22 (March 2014) but is later resurrected by Legion.X-Men: Legacy #24 (February 2014) When the school moves to Central Park, Chamber becomes a teacher there. He is later attacked and killed by Harpoon of the Marauders.
Krakoa Following the establishment of Krakoa as a mutant nation, Chamber is resurrected and joins the New Mutants along with Mondo.The New Mutants (vol. 4) #1 (January 2020) They go on a mission to the Shi'ar empire with the intent of bringing Cannonball to Krakoa. The New Mutants are assigned to transport Deathbird to Chandilar to be Xandra Neramani's teacher. Chamber is later seen working with Nightcrawler's Legionaries.Legion of X #4 (October 2022)
Powers and abilities Chamber is a mutant whose body acts as a furnace of fiery psionic energy capable of nuclear fission. He has been implied to be a being of pure psionic energy; as a result, he does not require food, water, or oxygen to survive. When Chamber's mutant abilities first activated, they destroyed his chest and mouth area, leaving him to be sustained by his own energy. Chamber also possesses limited psychic abilities that enable him to project his thoughts, but do not allow him to read minds.
After he lost his powers during House of M, Chamber was rebuilt by Clan Akkaba in the image of Apocalypse and he later employed technology to mimic sonic powers as Decibel. These powers included flight, sonic blasts, and the creation of solid energy constructs. Chamber was restored to his original appearance and powers following Age of X.
Reception In 2014, Entertainment Weekly ranked Chamber 35th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.
Other versions
Age of Apocalypse An alternate universe version of Chamber appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is the leader of Generation Next under the training of Shadowcat and Colossus, who rescued him from Mikhail Rasputin. Additionally, his body remains intact due to his powers being discovered before they could activate and brought under control with a cybernetic chest plate. Chamber is killed along with the rest of his team when they infiltrate Sugar Man's lair and are abandoned by Colossus.
Amalgam Comics Jonothon Hex, a composite character based on Chamber and DC Comics character Jonah Hex, appears in the Amalgam Comics one-shot Generation Hex.
Future X-Men An alternate universe version of Chamber appears in Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #10 and Uncanny X-Men: Winters End #1. This version originates from an alternate timeline 25 years in the future, where many students of the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning became celebrity heroes as adults. Additionally, Chamber gained full control of his powers, allowing him to reconstruct his body. Chamber is later killed in a battle with the Shi'ar.Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #10 (September 2017)Uncanny X-Men: Winter's End one-shot (May 2019)
In other media Chamber makes non-speaking appearances in X-Men '97. Chamber appears in Marvel Snap.
References
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